Thursday, April 14, 2016

DPW Spotlight Interview: Annabel Chance

Each week we will spotlight a different DPW artist who will give away one of their best paintings.To enter to win Annabel's painting, "No. 37 Deer" go to Daily Paintworks and click on the link at the top of the page announcing their interview.From Annabel's DPW Gallery:

Hello! My name is Annabel Chance. I work traditionally in opaque and transparent watercolors. I'm inspired by nature and wildlife to create my colorful paintings. If you have any questions or comments I'd love to hear from you :)Tell us a bit about how you first started painting.

I'm from Florida and have had the pleasure of seeing the Gulf and being around nature from a young age. I've been told that I started finger-painting what I saw at the beach to show my parents before I could talk.

Enter to win by clicking on the link at the top of the DPW home page announcing Annabel's interview.

Did you have any stops and starts in your painting career?

My painting career is still pretty new. I wanted to get some more practice with my watercolors. That's when I signed up for an account with Daily Paintworks to motivate me. I really didn't expect to get so much positive feedback but I'm grateful for all the encouragement.

My wildlife paintings are a return to my childhood where I would just enjoy sketching at the beach or by the bird feeder.

What mediums and genres have you experimented with?

I've had the opportunity to play with oil and acrylic but I think that I have the greatest affinity for watercolor.

The content of my work is inspired by the animals that I paint: their behavior and personality. Visually, I'm caught between a love of representational art and the abstract. John Singer Sargent is my favorite painter.

I struggle a little with photographing my paintings and sharing them online. I'm always ready to paint but I don't have the same focus for formatting images, writing descriptions or choosing keywords.

What techniques work to ensure that you make time for your art?

Keeping a space that is ready for me to paint is really important. I make note of ideas for paintings, collect references, and prepare paper in advance so when I have enough time to paint there aren't any obstacles in my way.

I try to focus on three things in the early stages of my paintings: form, expression and color. I'll decide on an animal I'd like to paint and will attempt to make it instantly recognizable. I study animal behavior and expressions and I try to bring that through in my work. I also try to create a color scheme that is appealing on an abstract level.

How do you keep art "fresh?" What techniques have helped you avoid burnout and keep your work vibrant and engaging?

I think watercolors are prone to becoming too fussy. I begin with a big wash of color and then I carve out the subject. I don't want to hide that this is a watercolor painting. I love the big abstract splashes of intense color and I've thrown away my masking fluid.

I'm learning to do the work that I love. Even though I was told that there wasn't much of a market for watercolor animal paintings, I think that my genuine affection for and fascination with wildlife comes through in my work. Other people that love wildlife have really responded to that.

What makes you happiest about your art?

I have so much focus when I'm painting. I work with purpose and confidence. I used to worry about ruining my painting but now I just respond to whatever the watercolor decides to do. I don't try to control the flow of paint. I rely on it to be unpredictable. It's a unique process to other methods of painting I've tried and it feels like a collaboration with the medium.